A PST file (Personal Storage Table) is a file Microsoft Outlook eMail uses to manage and keep your file in the form of email messages, contacts, calendar etc.

Depnding on how you setup and use your email, when you open up Microsoft Outlook it will reference your PST file (you can have more than one) and access your email messages inbox, sent file and keep a reference of what you have opened and what you have sent to who.

Managing a PST File

If you would like to see your PST file or move it to another location, Microsoft Outlook by defaults saves it in your App Data directory in your login profile.

You can choose other locations if you choose to such as a file in your Documents is always a good idea. This will make it easier to find and save in the event of a computer or hard drive failure.

To find your PST file you can run a search for all .pst files within Windows or open Control Panel, click on Mail, select Data Files and you should be able to see all your PST files your Microsoft Outlook is using and their corresponding addresses.

Backing Up a PST File

If you have read any of my posts over the years you will know I am not a fan of a lot of the backing up software out there, specially the automated stuff.

I think they are way to complicated and the more completed things are int he computer industry, the more things can go wrong. So I like to keep it as simple as possible.

Exporting PST File

Exporting is a very easy way of backing up your PST file through the Microsoft Outlook email application itself.

Open Outlook – Go to File – Click on Import – Select Export to a File – Select Outlook Data File (PST) – Click Next -Click Folder at the top to include all Sub Folders – Select Browser button to Determine where you would like to save your backup PST file to – click ok. Up to you if you would like to password protect it.

Copying PST File to Another Location

A much easier way again is by actually copying the PST file to another location, preferably on a external hard drive or online storage device.

As described above, once you know the location of the particular PST file you would like to back up.

Make sure you have Microsoft Outlook Closed.

Then right click on your PST file and copy it to you storage location or device. It’s that easy!